Chennai - Kollam Special Train 2026: Schedule Announced for Sabarimala Pilgrims

Southern Railway has announced weekly special trains between Chennai and Kollam to help devotees travelling to Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The special services will operate for approximately two months.

The Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple will open at 5 PM on November 16 for the Mandala Pooja season. The temple will remain open for devotees until the Makaravilakku festival. More than 80,000 devotees are expected to be allowed for darshan each day during this period. Thousands of devotees from Tamil Nadu travel to Sabarimala every day.

Considering the additional travel demand, Southern Railway has introduced a weekly special train from Chennai Egmore to Kollam and a return service from Kollam to Chennai.

Chennai Egmore–Kollam Special Train (06121)

The special train (06121) will operate from November 21, 2026, to January 23, 2027. It will depart from Chennai Egmore every Saturday at 11:40 PM and reach Kollam at 4:30 PM the following day.

Kollam–Chennai Central Special Train (06122)

The return train (06122) will operate from November 22, 2026, to January 24, 2027. It will depart from Kollam every Sunday at 6:45 PM and arrive at Chennai Central at 11:40 AM the following day.

Stoppages

The special train will stop at the following stations:

- Perambur

- Katpadi

- Erode

- Podanur

- Kottayam

Devotees planning to travel to Sabarimala can check ticket availability, fares and updated train details through the official railway booking platforms before making their journey.